What’s your preferred format, radio or television? If you are going to create electronic media for your website or organization, what’s easier? Which format delivers the biggest bang for your buck?
My choice is audio. An audio recordings are fairly easy to create and audio is web friendly. Even with a slow connection, audio delivers quality products every time. Video is more expensive to create, harder to edit and still creates problems for viewers depending on format and software.
Don’t get me wrong, video carries an impact that audio will never match and it’s easier than ever to create. But people ask me for a preference and audio simply has advantages especially when you’re starting your web presence.
Interviewing People:
I spent a most of my professional years hosting television and radio shows or being a guest on radio and television shows. I have a clear bias for audio.
With television (and virtually all video products) people are more concerned about their appearance than the information or insight they deliver.
Yes, there’s nothing more powerful than a well-done video or television show where the person looks relaxed and delivers information in a friendly and authoritative manner. When it works, it’s powerful.
It was not uncommon for me to interview the same people in both formats and the difference was often startling. Before the television show, they looked apprehensive and were constantly asking questions about discussion points, formats and whether the lighting made them look like polished professionals or trolls.
In the radio studio, people were much more relaxed. When their appearance was taken out of the equation, guests became much more interesting and open.
We focused more on what was said than the busy environment of a television studio where a floor manager is constantly giving you messages about show production and camera people surround you.
People who were lousy television guests were wonderful (or much better) on radio.
So if I’m going to record someone, I always found it much better to do an audio recording. It’s not free of stress, but it’s simply a better and easier way of conveying information.
Best, Len.
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